Russian operative Maria Butina sentenced to 18 months in federal prison
The American University grad student and gun rights activist worked as an unregistered foreign agent for the Kremlin.
April 26, 2019
Maria Butina, the Russian woman who was accused of being a secret agent for the Russian government, was sentenced to 18 months in prison Friday by a federal judge in Washington after pleading guilty last year to a conspiracy charge.
Butina, who has already served nine months behind bars, will get credit for time served and can possibly get credit for good behavior, the judge said. She will be removed from the U.S. promptly on completion of her time, the judge added, and returned to Russia.
Butina told the court: "My parents discovered my arrest on the morning news they watch in their rural house in a Siberian village.
"I love them dearly, but I harmed them morally and financially. They are suffering from all of that.
"I destroyed my own life as well. I came to the United States not under any orders, but with hope, and now nothing remains but penitence."
An emotional and apologetic Butina said in court Friday she is “truly sorry” and regrets not registering as a foreign agent.
“I feel ashamed and embarrassed,” she said, adding that her “reputation is ruined.”
Butina has been jailed since her arrest in July 2018. She entered the court Friday wearing a dark green prison jumpsuit and spoke in clear English, with a slight Russian accent.
“Please accept my apologies,” Butina said.
Butina’s lawyer, Robert Driscoll, said after the sentencing they had hoped for a “better outcome,” but expressed a desire for Butina to be released to her family by the fall.
Prosecutors had claimed Butina used her contacts with the National Rifle Association and the National Prayer Breakfast to develop relationships with U.S. politicians and gather information for Russia.
Prosecutors also have said that Butina's boyfriend, conservative political operative Paul Erickson, identified in court papers as "U.S. Person 1," helped her establish ties with the NRA.
But the judge was reportedly unmoved by Butina's apology, saying that her actions "jeopardized our country's national security", US media said.
"This was no simple misunderstanding by an overeager foreign student," Judge Chutkan said.
At the end of the hearing, Judge Chutkan wished Butina well.
"You are a young woman, you are smart, you are hard working." Judge Chutkan said to Butina, "I wish you the best luck."
Federal prosecutor Erik Kenserson described Butina as an agent of a foreign government with "undoubtedly serious" intentions, though stopped short of calling her activities espionage.
"While it is certainly true that the defendant was an American university student," Mr Kenerson said, "She did this for the benefit of the Russian Federation."
As part of a plea deal, Butina had agreed to co-operate with investigators. Judge Chutkan noted on Friday that Butina had provided "substantial assistance" to law enforcement.
Prosecutors said they expected the deal would provide information about Russia's efforts to interfere in US politics.
Prosecutors said Butina was directed by a senior Russian official to infiltrate conservative political groups, including an unnamed pro-gun lobbying organisation presumed to be the NRA, which is allied with Mr Trump's Republican party.
Butina tried to infiltrate the National Rifle Association (NRA) in an effort to influence US policies
Image copyright CIVIC CHAMBER OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
In their filings, prosecutors claim federal agents found Butina had contact information for people suspected of being employed by Russia's Federal Security Services, or FSB, the successor intelligence agency to the KGB. Inside her home, they found notes referring to a potential job offer from the FSB, according to the documents.
Investigators recovered several emails and Twitter direct message conversations in which Butina referred to the need to keep her work secret and, in one instance, said it should be "incognito." Prosecutors said Butina had contact with Russian intelligence officials and that the FBI photographed her dining with a diplomat suspected of being a Russian intelligence agent.